If there was any doubt that Melissa McCarthy could carry a comedy virtually on her own, it has since been dispelled by a strong opening weekend from Identity Thief. The movie opened to $36 million, which is the best debut for any movie so far this year and the best R-rated comedy opening ever in February — all in the middle of a brutal winter storm that likely kept many East Coast moviegoers at home. To put it in perspective, Identity Thief made $10 million more than Bridesmaids and $8 million more than Horrible Bosses. Steven Soderbergh’s Side Effects did not draw the same kind of crowds unfortunately, earning $10 million which was good enough for third place. Warm Bodies is still generating heat at #2 while Silver Linings Playbook and Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters rounded out the top 5. Elsewhere Bullet to the Head dropped like a rock, just narrowly missed being knocked out the top 10 by Top Gun 3D.